You've Never Noticed This Hidden Secret in Your Pasta Spoon (2024)

Sausage LasagnaThe idea for this sausage lasagna recipe comes from my mother-in-law, who always makes it for my three boys on special holidays. I've put an easy twist on Carole's classic dish, and it's become one of my go-to dinners as well! —Blair Lonergan, Rochelle, VAGo to Recipe

Pasta fa*gioli al FornoThe term al forno means "baked pasta with beans." But my busy family translates it as "super satisfying dinner." —Cindy Preller, Grayslake, Illinois

Make your own marinara with our guide to how to make pasta sauce.

Nutmeg and cherries are the new "it" pair. It’s the secret something that really makes this angel hair pasta dish. My vegetarian friend likes it just as well without chicken. —Mary Ann Sander, Centralia, Missouri

Pork Medallions with Brandy Cream SauceI adapted this easy, elegant main dish from a recipe my mother-in-law cooked for our family. Cayenne lends a bit of heat to its rich, creamy sauce. —Judy Armstrong, Prairieville, Louisiana

Blushing Penne PastaI reworked this recipe from an original that called for vodka and heavy whipping cream. My friends and family had a hard time believing a sauce this rich, flavorful and creamy could be light. —Margaret Wilson, Hemet, California

Pepper Ricotta PrimaveraGarlic, peppers and herbs top creamy ricotta cheese in this meatless skillet meal you can make in just 20 minutes. —Janet Boulger, Botwood, Newfoundland and Labrador

Shrimp PuttanescaI throw together these bold ingredients for a feisty seafood pasta. —Lynda Balslev, Sausalito, California

With a tomato-y meat sauce and tangy goat cheese, this weeknight wonder is my version of comfort food. You want to have bowl after bowl. —Lizzie Munro, Brooklyn, New York

Basil-Lemon Crab LinguineI always add herbs to pasta to really punch up the flavor. This linguine looks and tastes like it's from a five-star restaurant. We love it. —Tonya Burkhard, Palm Coast, Florida.Love Italian food? Here’s the list of the best Italian restaurant in every state.

Loaded Chicken Carbonara CupsSpaghetti cupcakes with a chicken carbonara twist make for a tasty, fun family dinner. Whole wheat pasta and reduced-fat ingredients make these quick and easy little pasta cakes nutritional winners, too. —Jeanne Holt, Mendota Heights, Minnesota

Sicilian Meat SaucePeople have told me this is better than the gravy their Sicilian grandmothers used to make. But don’t tell the old generation that! —Emory Doty, Jasper, Georgia

Artichoke Florentine PastaPasta loaded with artichokes and creamy cheese is everything a Sunday dinner should be: rich, tasty and memorable. Add cooked chicken, shrimp or crab if you like. —Nancy Beckman, Helena, Montana

Flavor-packed sausage and sun-dried tomatoes are sure to liven up any simple pasta dish. I have a feeling that once you've tried it, it'll become a family favorite!—Dawn Singleton, Eighty Four, Pennsylvania

While sailing in the Mediterranean, we tasted a lemony artichoke pasta. I developed my own version of it that our guests love. Try it with shrimp and kalamata olives. —Peter Halferty, Corpus Christi, Texas

Mediterranean food is always a good idea. From light orzo salads to sweet baklava, these Mediterranean recipes will transport you to the seaside.

Spicy Veggie Pasta BakeMy dad cooked with cast-iron skillets, so when I do, I remember his amazing culinary skills. I keep the tradition going with my veggie pasta. —Sonya Goergen, Moorhead, Minnesota

I was short on time but wanted to make an elegant dinner for my husband and me. That night, we ate this simple pasta starring spicy sausage and our homegrown kale. —Angela Lemoine, Howell, New Jersery

Looking for the best pasta recipes? Look no further these incredible 5-star dishes.

I created this tempting seafood pasta for my wife. It’s a terrific meal served with crusty sourdough. If you don't like spice, skip the red pepper flakes. —George Levinthal, Goleta, California

Slow-Cooker Stuffed ShellsThere's no need to precook the shells in this simple pasta dish. It's almost like magic when you open the lid and find the deliciousness waiting in the slow cooker. Add garlic bread and you're golden! —Sherry Day, Pinckney, Michigan

One-Skillet LasagnaThis is hands-down one of the best skillet lasagna recipes our testing panel has ever tasted. And with classic flavors and cheesy layers, it’s definitely kid-friendly. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Muffuletta PastaA friend gave me this recipe when she learned that I love muffuletta sandwiches. Very rich and filling, this easy skillet supper goes together quickly on a busy weeknight. Serve with some cheesy garlic bread. —Jan Hollingsworth, Houston, Mississippi

Slow-Simmering Pasta SauceSpaghetti with sauce is my kids' favorite dinner, so through trial and error, I came up with my own recipe. This is the winning result. I love that it's made in a slow cooker.—Samantha Vicars, Kenosha, Wisconsin

Traditional LasagnaMy family first tasted this rich, homemade lasagna recipe at a friend's home on Christmas Eve. We were so impressed that it became our own holiday tradition as well. I also prepare it other times of the year. This classic lasagna recipe is requested often by my sister's Italian in-laws—I consider that the highest compliment! —Lorri Foockle, Granville, Illinois

Authentic Pasta CarbonaraI learned on my culinary internship in Tuscany that real Italian cuisine is simpler than you think! This carbonara is quick, simple and delicious, just the way they like it in Italy. —Lauren Brien-Wooster, South Lake Tahoe, California

Baked Ziti with CheeseThis pasta dish, made with Alfredo sauce, is deliciously different from typical tomato-based recipes. Extra cheesy, it goes together quickly and is always popular at potlucks. —Lisa Varner, El Paso, Texas

Eggplant Sausage CasseroleIf you want your kids to happily eat their eggplant, serve it in this lovely layered casserole. Our whole family enjoys it. Always a popular potluck item, it's a great company dish, as well. —Carol Mieske, Red Bluff, California

Penne alla VodkaThis easy and impressive pasta is always on the menu when my husband and I invite first-time guests over for dinner. Many friends have asked me to make the recipe again years after they first tried it. —Cara Langer, Overland Park, Kansas

Artichoke Blue Cheese FettuccineStore-bought Alfredo sauce speeds along this flavorful, meatless entree. I use dry pasta, but you can use refrigerated fettuccine to make this recipe even faster. —Jolanthe Erb, Harrisonburg, Virginia

I created this creamy pasta dish when I needed to use up some marinara. Red pepper flakes give it a little heat, which my family loves. It's super versatile, so try it with chicken, or simply stir in some fresh basil, too. —Lorri Stout, Gaithersburg, Maryland

Shrimp Alfredo FettuccineFettuccine Alfredo's been around for ages. I give it a modern update by adding tender shrimp and a pop of lemon. —Tonya Burkhard, Davis, Illinois

Shrimp PomodoroMy husband and I have hectic schedules, so I’m always looking for fast meals that have special-occasion appeal. Shrimp with garlic, tomatoes and pasta is a winner. —Catherine Jensen, Blytheville, Arkansas

Four-Cheese Sausage RigatoniTo make this twist on traditional baked pasta, we start with creamy goat cheese and build from there with mozzarella, ricotta and Parmesan cheese. —Teresa Ralston, New Albany, Ohio

Pesto LasagnaThe bright flavor of basil takes center stage in this pesto lasagna. Paired with a rich cheese sauce and layers of noodles, it's a potluck dish that will have guests asking you for the recipe. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Italian Wedding Soup SupperIn a classic Italian Wedding Soup, the meat marries the vegetables in a broth. Which type of meat and which vegetables are subject to change, according to your arrangements. Chicken goes well with the savory trio of onion, carrot and celery, with meatballs and spinach in supporting roles. —Patricia Harmon, Baden, Pennsylvania

Italian Sausage with Bow TiesWe often have our favorite pasta when company comes over, and I’ve shared this Italian sausage recipe several times. Now many of my friends make it for their families, too. —Janelle Moore, Auburn, Washington

I love to make healthy meals with produce from my latest farmers market trip. This pasta takes just 30 minutes from pantry to dinner table. You can easily make it a meat entree by adding cooked, shredded chicken. —Jerilyn Korver, Bellflower, California

I learned how to make this dish from friends in Genoa, Italy, where they're known for creating tasty combinations of veggies, pasta and beans. You can sub feta cheese to give this a Greek twist. —Trisha Kruse, Eagle, Idaho

Gnocchi with White BeansHere’s one of those no-fuss gnocchi recipes you can toss together and cook in one skillet. Ideal for a busy weeknight, it’s also good with crumbled Italian chicken sausage if you need to please meat lovers. —Julianne Meyers, Hinesville, Georgia

Hearty Vegetable Beef RaguThis recipe is healthy yet satisfying, quick yet delicious. It's on the table in less than 30 minutes, and it's something that my children will gobble up! If you are not fond of kale, stir in baby spinach or chopped broccoli instead. —Kim Van Dunk, Caldwell, New Jersey

Italian Hot DishMy husband had a poor perception of healthy food until he tried this beefy casserole. The combination of pasta, oregano, mushrooms and green peppers makes it a favorite healthy pasta recipe in our house. —Theresa Smith, Sheboygan, Wisconsin

Contest-Winning Chicken CacciatoreMy husband and I own and operate a busy farm. There are days when there's just no time left for cooking! It's really nice to be able to come into the house at night and smell this wonderful slow cooker chicken cacciatore. —Aggie Arnold-Norman, Liberty, Pennsylvania

One-Pot Chicken Pesto PastaWhen my garden basil goes nuts, I make pesto and keep it frozen in small containers for the right opportunity, like this saucy one-pot chicken pesto pasta recipe. —Kimberly Fenwick, Hobart, Indiana

When I get a craving for homemade tomato sauce, I make a zesty batch to toss with chicken and veggies. The flavors do wonders for penne, too. —Carly Curtin, Ellicott City, Maryland. Also, try this authentic Italian tomato sauce.

Using cream cheese to fortify the sauce speeds up cooking time and will have you eating my take on this old-time classic carbonara recipe in about 30 minutes. —Celeste Brantolino, Lenoir, North Carolina

Italian Shrimp 'n' PastaThis dish will remind you a bit of classic shrimp Creole, but it has a surprise Italian twist. Slow cooking gives it hands-off ease—perfect for company. —Karen Edwards, Sanford, Maine

Scallops with LinguineA buttery garlic sauce zips up a bowlful of linguine, bay scallops and veggies. Celebrate something special or toast the end of another workday with this dish that's perfectly sized for two. —Paula Jones, Brooksville, Florida

Lobster alla DiavolaI’ve cooked lobster alla diavola (devil’s style) since I was first married. We serve lobster at family celebrations, usually with linguine or capellini. —Marcia Whitney, Gainesville, Florida

One-Pot Saucy Beef RotiniMy husband loves pasta, but I cringe over the messy dishes. Now, on "Spaghetti Day," as he calls it, I make a one-pot saucy rotini that keeps everyone happy. —Lorraine Caland, Shuniah, Ontario

Italian Sausage with Artichokes and FetaTo impress the guests, we serve Italian sausage and artichoke hearts with pasta. It tastes like a gourmet masterpiece and also works with rice or potatoes. —Aysha Schurman, Ammon, Idaho

One of my favorite childhood memories is going to the Old Spaghetti Factory with my family and ordering a big plate of cheesy spaghetti, meatballs and garlic bread. My homemade recipe reminds me of those fun times and satisfies everyone's craving for good Italian food. —Erika Monroe-Williams, Scottsdale, Arizona

Spicy Sausage RigatoniMy inspiration for this recipe came from a Cajun pasta dish I make with blackened chicken, but here I substitute Italian sausage. I love this dish. It makes a hearty meal that warms you up all over. —Toni Dishman, Mooresville, North Carolina

Pressure-Cooker Red Clam SauceThis recipe tastes as if you've been working on it all day. What a classy way to jazz up pasta sauce! —JoAnn Brown, LaTrobe, Pennsylvania

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I developed this one-skillet spaghetti and meatball dish to cut down on cooking time on busy nights. The beans, artichokes and tomatoes bump up the nutrition factor, while the lemon and parsley make it pop with brightness. —Roxanne Chan, Albany, California

Best LasagnaWant to know how to make lasagna for a casual holiday meal? You can't go wrong with this deliciously rich meat lasagna recipe. My grown sons and daughter-in-law request it for their birthdays, too. —Pam Thompson, Girard, Illinois

Up Next: Enjoy these easy and delicious ravioli recipes.